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Report: Climate Change Could Affect Renewable Energy Sector

A report by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program points to a problem rarely discussed – climate change could negatively affect the renewable energy sector. The report suggests renewable energy, which depends directly on natural resources such as water, wind and sunlight, are likely to be more sensitive to climate variability than fossil or nuclear energy sources. “Even modest impacts in key resource areas could substantially impact the cost competitiveness of these technologies due to changes in electricity production and impede the planning and financing of new wind and solar projects due to increased variability of the resource.” “Renewable energy production is highly susceptible to localized and regional changes in the resource base; as a result, the greater uncertainties on regional impacts under current climate change modelling pose a significant challenge in evaluating medium to long-term impacts on renewable energy production,” it notes. “Of the two largest U.S. renewable energy sources, hydroelectric power generation, can be expected to be directly and significantly affected by climate change, while biomass power and fuel production impacts are less certain in the short term,” it notes. “The impact on hydroelectric production will vary by region, with potential for production decreases in key areas such […]

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Study Shows Organic Food is More Nutritious

Preliminary findings from a four-year European Union (EU) study indicate that key organic foods – fruits, vegetables, milk – are more nutritional than their non-organic counterparts. “This study may be the breakthrough that helps prove what many in the organic sector believe to be true about food grown using organic practices,” said Caren Wilcox, Organic Trade Association Executive Director. The study concludes that organic fruit and vegetables have up to 40% more antioxidants than conventionally grown produce, and have higher levels of beneficial minerals such as iron and zinc. Organic milk contains 60-80% more antioxidants than conventionally produced milk in the summer, and 50-60% higher levels in the winter. Organic milk also contains higher levels of vitamin E. The research team led by Professor Leifert has been raising fruits, vegetables and cows both organically and non-organically on sites on a 725-acre farm near Newcastle University. The research is scheduled to run for an additional year. In announcing the preliminary results, Professor Leifert said such benefits suggest that eating organic food would be equivalent to eating an extra portion of fruit and vegetables a day. The study is part of the EU-funded Quality Low Input Food (QLIF) Project. The Project is […]

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ADM Forms Industrial Chemicals Group

Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) has formed an industrial chemicals group to focus on biobased feedstocks for chemicals. “Renewable, biobased industrial chemicals fit into two major trends that we’re seeing in the marketplace: the desire to improve a product’s environmental footprint and the desire to reduce the use of petroleum-based products. In the short-term, we see opportunity to commercialize direct replacements for typically petroleum-derived chemicals. And in the longerterm, we see even more opportunities to develop new chemicals which provide increased functionality and are better for the environment. As one of the world’s largest processors of renewable feedstocks, ADM has a unique opportunity to succeed in this area,” said John Rice, executive vice president, Commercial and Production. To lead the new industrial chemicals business, ADM has hired Janet Mann as general manager, Industrial Chemicals, reporting to Rice. Mann joins ADM from Chemtura Corporation where she was vice president and general manager, Performance Specialties. ADM is one of the world’s largest processors of soybeans, corn, wheat and cocoa and is a leading manufacturer of biodiesel, ethanol, soybean oil and meal, corn sweeteners, flour and other value-added food and feed ingredients. Website: [sorry this link is no longer available]     

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REC to Build Solar Complex in Singapore

REC announced it will build a solar manufacturing complex in Singapore. The complex will support up to 1.5GW of capacity for each component: wafer, solar cells and modules. The total investment may exceed EUR 3 billion and could employ as many as 3000 people. REC plans to build it over the next 5 years. REC reportedly examined 200 potential locations over the past 9 months. Development will occur in stages. In addition to producing wafers, cells and modules, the complex will incorporate infrastructure and support facilities, as well as an on-site supplier park. Space is reserved for future R&D and manufacturing plants for new technologies. “The development of this site will enable us to continue expanding in a cost efficient manner and will support REC’s ambitious cost target. Our future cost position will determine our ability to deliver solar products that can compete with traditional energy sources in the sunny areas of the world without government incentives”, says Erik Thorsen, CEO.

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EnerNOC Files for Public Offering

EnerNOC, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENOC) has filed for a public offering with the SEC. The company plans to offer 4 million shares of common stock. The Company says it will use the proceeds to expand the business into new regions and expand its customer base, to finance research and development, to fund cash consideration for future acquisitions, and for other general corporate purposes. Credit Suisse Securities is the underwriter. EnerNOC, Inc. is a leading developer and provider of intelligent energy solutions for utilities, electric power grid operators, commercial, institutional, and industrial customers. EnerNOC’s technology-enabled demand response and energy management solutions help optimize the balance of electric supply and demand. The Company uses its Network Operations Center, or NOC, to remotely manage and reduce electricity consumption across a network of commercial, institutional, and industrial customer sites and make demand response capacity and energy available to utilities and grid operators on demand.

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